BETHEL -- In less than two months, Hamlin Cycles on Grassy Plain Street is already becoming a destination for members of the motorcycle community.

That's because owner Jim Hamlin has been in the business selling and outfitting motorcycles for more than two decades. During that time, Hamlin, who specializes in several motorcycle brands including Triumph and Moto Guzzi, developed a growing customer base that will drive from Buffalo and beyond for his services.

The shop offers services from used motorcycle sales to repairs, accessories, and customized bikes. In the fall the shop expects to become an authorized dealer for Moto Guzzi, an Italian brand with a growing following in the region.

And when it came time for Hamlin to open his own shop, downtown Bethel, he said, is the perfect location.

"Many of my customers that I've developed over the years live along the coast," he said.

Route 53, he said, is a scenic road often used by bikers for weekend rides.

"Customers can drive up to have their bikes repaired and visit some of the downtown restaurants while they wait," he said. "It's really a perfect location for us."

Besides attracting Triumph and Moto Guzzi customers, Hamlin said he also has a certified Harley-Davidson mechanic on staff who adds another dimension to the business. The business can also service most Japanese brands.

"That's fantastic news," Danbury resident Stephen Szurlej said when he stopped in to check out the new shop on Friday.

While Szurlej usually brings his bikes to a shop in Branford, he said that he is excited to have a local shop that could be his new home away from home.

"I can walk here from my house," he said. "I can't wait to tell all my buddies about it."

And Hamlin specifically designed the layout of the shop to be a comfortable and inviting space for his customers.

"It's the kind of place where someone can pull up a stool to the counter and talk bikes," he said. "I want a place where our customers can hang out and feel at home."

Bethel Chamber of Commerce President Bobbi Jo Beers said she is excited to see new and different types of businesses opening in the downtown, especially businesses that serve as a destination.

"It's always a benefit when we have a business open in the downtown that draws from a wider area," Beers said. "That way more people can visit Bethel and see what a great hidden gem it is. I wish them all the best of luck moving forward."

Hamlin, who rides almost every weekend, said he's enjoying every minute of the new business.

"I've been able to make a living from my hobby," he said. "Not many people can say that."